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Latest updates: 26 charred to death as fire breaks out in Bangalore-Nanded Express

Anantpur (AP): Twentysix people, including two children, were charred to death in their sleep as a major fire engulfed an AC 3-tier coach of Bangalore-Nanded Express  near Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh early this morning. Thirteen

India TV News Desk India TV News Desk Updated on: December 28, 2013 17:21 IST
latest updates 26 charred to death as fire breaks out in
latest updates 26 charred to death as fire breaks out in bangalore nanded express

Anantpur (AP): Twentysix people, including two children, were charred to death in their sleep as a major fire engulfed an AC 3-tier coach of Bangalore-Nanded Express  near Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh early this morning.




Thirteen passengers have been admitted to the hospital with critical burns.

The fire broke out in the AC 3-tier coach B-1, fourth from the engine, near Sri Satya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam railway station, about 170 kms northeast of Bangalore, at 3:45 a.m when most of the passengers were fast asleep.

After noticing the fire, the driver stopped the train near Kothacheruvu railway station and the ill-fated coach was detached, preventing the fire from spreading to other bogies.

"So far 26 persons have died in the incident. Rescue operations are still going on," Anantpur District SP S Senthil Kumar said.

The cause of the fire is not immediately known but Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said prima facie there could be two reasons - one is short circuit and the other presence of inflammable material.

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge described the incident as "tragic and most unfortunate" and ordered an inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

"Preliminary reports indicate that the cause of the fire was electrical short-circuit near the Air-Conditioning Unit," Andhra Director General of Police B Prasada Rao said.

Forensic teams from Hyderabad are on their way to the spot to collect samples for analysis.

The train had left Bangalore at 10:45 PM last night with a composition of 16 coaches, South Western Railway said, adding that the affected coach was carrying 65 passengers.

According to railway officials, the bodies of passengers are being shifted from the accident spot to Victoria Hospital in Bangalore.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the mishap.

He also spoke to the Railway Minister and inquired about the rescue and relief work being carried out at the site.

The Railway Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh in case of grievous injuries and Rs 50,000 for simple injuries.

6:37pm : Dead bodies brought to Bangalore's Victoria Hospital for DNA testing and identification.

12 noon: Electrical short circuit said to be cause behind Nanded Express coach fire.
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